Manchester College - Aurora Yearbook (North Manchester, IN)

Page 30 text:

Theater Productions homecoming may day plays Quality Productions Attain Success 1986-87 Homecoming and May Day productions received rave re- views thanks to quality produc- tion and performances. The Di- viners, written by James Leonard, was the Homecoming drama of a disturbed young man (Shawn Yeable) and a disillu- sioned preacher (Curt Webb). Set in a small Indiana town, the preacher helps the young man overcome a fear of water devel- oped when he was a small boy. The North Manchester commu- nity was involved with this pro- duction as Yeakle, the lead role, was a junior at Manchester High School. A hit Rodgers and Hart musical production, Babes in Arms, was staged for May Day. Set in the present day, Babes in Arms is the tale of a resolute, talented group of summer stock appren- tices (Jodi Heeter, Cindy Leard and Eric Snyder) attempting to stage an original revue for a bud- ding composer-playwright (Jeff West) much against the will of their villainous producer (Ron Van Sessen). Rodgers and Hart tunes, My Funny Valentine, The Lady is a Tramp, and I Wish I were in Love Again, were among those weaved throughout the storyline. Falling down on the job. Southern Play- wright Eric Lee is supported by the cast of Babes apprentices. Cindy Leard and Eric Snyder portray the flirting romantic couple Terry Thompson and Gus Field in Babes in Arms. 26 Theater Production

Page 29 text:

Russia — Even the Russians found the sub zero temperatures too chilling to allow tourists to wait the hour outside to see Lenin ' s tomb. They closed the exhibit and the group had to be satisfied with sights of Moscow ' s onion-domed skyscape, and vis- its to the Kremlin and Winter Pala Palace. Nicaragua — The children are so beauti- ful, commented Tim Peter of Nicaragua. The group traveled with Witness for Peace through the desert countryside of the Nic- aragua-Honduras border. They talked with Sandmista officials, their opponents, and the natives to tune-in with the issue of Contras in Nicaragua. Hawaii — Nat Bryan said the trip to Hawaii taught him to understand the social con- flict of Hawaii ' s 14 different cultures. Classes, which lasted much of the day, were held at Pearl Harbor, the island of Maui, the Polynesian Culture Center, and the University of Hawaii. 25 January

Page 31 text:

stage Mother Karen Shively tries to keep Dave Craun in line as their typically dis- dainful producer, Ron VanSessen, looks on. The final scene of Buddy ' s death depicts each character in their separate mourning. PuMug AuJcuf The Preacher Curt Webb points out a fish to Buddy ' s sister Kim Parker, in a quiet moment in The Diviners. Melvin (Brett Vannatta) watches Darlene (Karen Shively) flirt with Dewey (Gary Saunders) in The Diviners. 27 Theater Productions